This is a good comprehensive list for preparedness. Also if you have never heard of the LDS preparedness manual it would be a good idea to perhaps look at that as well. It might just give you some additional ideas. If you just Google LDS preparedness manual you will find it
PREPAREDNESS TIP: THE 15 PILLARS OF PREPAREDNESS by Andrew Skousen
Becoming self-sufficient requires a broad base of knowledge and abilities. Although we can never become experts in everything, the more basic skills we acquire the higher our standard of living will be in hard times when equipment, goods and services will be scarce or impossible to find. After reviewing the many tips I have written in the past I have compiled 15 categories of essential areas for preparedness. Most of us “preppers” are well prepared in specific areas that interest us or match our abilities while neglecting others. As you read through this list, pay attention to which areas are strong or weak for you, then focus on bringing the weaker areas up to par. Every category is essential, and ideally, everyone would achieve some proficiency in all categories. This takes time, so don’t be discouraged. Try to take action on something every week, either in line with the tip topic I send out or another area needing attention. Here are the categories and some of the sub-topics to indicate the depth of each subject.
1) Water: Water storage—from spare containers to large, underground cisterns. Berkey and other water filters. Rainwater harvesting, wells, hand pumps, springs, treating surface water, etc.
2) Land: Secure land or secondary retreat with evacuation plan and 72 hour kits/bug out bags. Secluded property, natural barriers, mountain cabin vs. farm, hiding in plain site, vegetation, concealment strategies, fencing, defensive layout, etc.
3) Shelter: Reinforced home, window and door security, secure store rooms, fallout shelter, fences, security alarms, wood fireplaces, backup hot water system, toilets. Personal shelter—cold weather clothing, plastic for windows.
4) Growing and Gathering Food: Gardening—soil, compost, seed starting, the 4 major crops (corn, potatoes and other root vegetables, squash, and beans), harvest methods, and seed saving. Wild foraging—edible plants, berries, mushrooms and how to recognize and prepare them.
5) Preserving food: Canning (steam, water bath, pressure), freeze-drying, dehydrating, root cellar storing, fermenting, salting, smoking, curing, freezing and refrigerating.
6) Stockpiling Food: Grains, protein, oil/fats, dairy, canned goods, nuts and nut butter, salt and seasonings, sweeteners, extra foreign spices, etc. Food processing equipment—grain grinders, solar and other off-grid cooking methods, etc.
7) Food Animals: Raising, harvesting and preserving food from domestic and wild animals. Poultry, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, milk cow, cattle, horses, etc. Farm and pasture management, enclosures, water, feed, etc. Hunting wild game.
8) Self defense: Weapons (firearms, knives, etc.), guard dogs, empty hand techniques, body armor, night vision equipment, ammunition, reloading equipment, training.
9) Alternate Energy: Solar, batteries, generators, fuel storage, wood production, lights, flashlights/headlamps, etc.
10) Communication: Family band/GMRS (walkie-talkies), ham radio, shortwave, AM/FM radios, cell phones, landline telephones, computers.
11) Medical care: First aid, suturing, wound and burn care, bone splints, midwifery, herbs (growing, harvesting and using), fire cider and other preventative care, dental care, bentonite clay, iodine, detoxing after radiation sickness, etc.
12) Physical and mental conditioning: Physical fitness, teaching kids, homeschooling, mental toughness, true optimism, hope, choosing battles, working with a resistant spouse, etc.
13) Maintenance, Repair and Construction: Having the right tools, welding, riveting, sewing, fiberglass repair, stockpiling supplies like lumber, steel shapes, glues, fasteners, car parts.
14) Transportation: Better boots, bikes, cars, trailers, bug out vehicles, electric vehicles.
15) Sanitation: Making soap, shampoo, paper product alternatives (toilet paper, napkins and tissues), shaving supplies, washing machines, homemade detergents, borax, washing soda, lye from ashes, etc.
Preparedness is an ongoing effort. It takes time and sometimes requires putting off other pursuits or hobbies to advance our learning in these crucial areas. Often it requires delving into areas outside our comfort zone. Don’t balk at learning in these areas too. You will be surprised how much progress you can make if you just apply yourself and do your best. Whether changing a part on a car, taking a firearms/self-defense class, learning a new aspect of ham radios, or putting up a crock of sauerkraut, it will pay big dividends down the road and give you time to make mistakes before your life depends on it. [END]
🇺🇸⛽️ Costco Is Now Rationing Motor Oil Because the Global Shortage Is Getting Real
A Kirkland Signature oil change has nearly doubled in price, but that's not the most concerning change to how Costco's selling lubricants these days.
Not only does 10 quarts of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic now cost $58 when it used to go for as low as $30, but stores are now imposing a two-per-customer, per-week limit.
The obvious culprit is supply—or, rather, a lack thereof. Demand remains strong as ever as global stock has dwindled due to our ongoing Middle East entanglement. As The Auto Wire highlighted in its own story unpacking the factors at hand, motor oil ultimately comes out of the same barrel that also gives us gasoline and diesel, and right now, refineries can earn more money finishing crude into gas compared to what Costco stocks on its shelves. We’re all getting the short end of the stick at the pump as it is, so it’s not difficult to imagine the pressure the motor oil ...
I heard about this meeting then found out it actually happened. Had Grok give a run down.
Cardinal McElroy — Labor Day Sermon, September 6, 2026
Sermon details
• Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
• Location: Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C.
• Organized by the Catholic Labor Network and the Archdiocese of Washington; reception co-sponsored by the D.C. labor federation
Who attended the Silicon Valley trip
• Cardinal Robert McElroy — Archbishop of Washington
• Cardinal Blase Cupich — Archbishop of Chicago
• Cardinal Joseph Tobin — Archbishop of Newark
• They spent several days in August with the leaders of the AI teams at the so-called frontier labs. The engineers spoke openly about AI’s destructive elements, including the work question.
Was the meeting secret?
• Yes — unannounced at the time. The only source that mentions it, Letters from Leo, says explicitly it was “a trip no outlet has reported.” Nothing surfaced in August from ...